Thursday, September 30, 2010

Today I was studying a portion of John for Bible Quizzing practice tonight, and this part really spoke to me.

John 4:46-53

Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernum. When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.

"Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe."

The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies."

Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live." The man took Jesus at his word and departed. While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living.

When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, "The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour." Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." So he and all his household believed.

The phrase that really hit me was that the official took Jesus at his word. Would I have been able to do that if I were him, and that child, mine? I don't know that I would. I mean, this is a person who has no reason whatsoever to trust Jesus. He had heard about him for sure, yet he had no personal background to base his trust on. But with simple, child-like faith, he took Jesus at his word. How many times do we, who have the Bible and a personal relationship with God, not trust him. I read the Bible, and read of his promises, I know them, I memorize them, and yet do I trust him? Most times I think I do, but the truth is, I really don't. I know that he loves me and thinks I'm beautiful, and yet I am sometimes jealous of girls who I think are prettier. I know that he will meet my needs, but I can't trust him to provide the funds for a mission trip. My faith is truly small.

God, in my life today, I ask you to help me take you at your word. Help me to trust you with my life, my resources, my talents, everything.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

This is a speech I gave at my speech and debate club. It is a topic very close to my heart.

How many of you had lunch today? How many of you had breakfast? You are part of only one third of the world that is well-fed, the second third being under fed and the last third being malnourished. One out of every twelve people worldwide doesn’t have enough food. Many of these people are children. We in America often do not appreciate what we have. We close our eyes to what is happening worldwide. A time has come for that to change.

Sometimes, we tend to think that hunger is only in other countries, such as Africa or Asia. This is wrong. The truth is that a multitude of children suffer from malnutrition in America. It is happening right around us, and we don’t even notice. The Journalism Center for Families and Children states, “In 2008, 16.6 million children lived in homes that couldn’t afford to provide enough food for their families. The Great Recession has only made things worse.” end quote. Consequently, one out of every eight children under the age of twelve in the U.S goes to bed hungry every night. Is it right that the world’s wealthiest nation has millions of unfed children?

Besides the U.S., many other countries have underfed or malnourished citizens. Half of all children under five in South Asia and one third of those in West Africa are malnourished. In a new report from the International Food Policy Research Institute, it says that the number of hungry children in Africa will increase by 3.3 million by 2025 if nothing changes. Asia and the Pacific region is where half the world’s population, and two thirds of the world’s hungry people call home. Additionally, 65% of the word’s hungry live in only seven countries: India, China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Ethiopia. These people have no food, no shelter, and for most, no relationship with God. What does this equal? No Hope.

Why is hunger such a problem? Why do people have no food if the world produces enough? The simple answer is poverty. People just don’t have the money to either purchase or grow the food they need. Nearly one in four people live on less than one dollar a day. Twice as many people struggle to survive on only two. Poverty causes hunger, and hunger causes poverty. For, when people are underfed, they are more susceptible to sickness and exhaustion. It is a dreadful cycle that can continue for generations, if nothing is done to stop it.

If nothing changes. These problems will never stop if nothing changes. Perhaps someday we would be in that position if nothing changes. You may ask, what can I do? It is the little things, giving, donating, and sponsoring, that make the difference. For a lot of little gifts make one gigantic blessing. So today, pause, thank God for the life he has given you, and remember those who may not be able to say that tomorrow.

Matthew 25:35-40

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Yep, you got it right. Today is Taylor Day. Okay it's not a national holiday (yet), but it will be soon. (I've got a call into the president, but it's taking awhile :) So for any of you who are reading today, Thursday, September 23rd, you may notice some changes on my blog. They are short-term changes and will be here for today ONLY to celebrate (what else) Taylor Day! Here goes my post about her.

Today I am going to blog about a very special friend of mine. Her name is Taylor, and she has been a amazing friend and guide to me over the past four years. You can find her blog here. I love her to pieces ands can't thank God enough for blessing me with her. Here are some photos to give you an idea of the girl Taylor is.

At my 11th birthday party

At my piano recital a few years ago

Announcing at Co-op on pajama day

At the Fort

At my 13th birthday party

Hanging out at my sister's party

Before the formal

Camping

On Tuesday, she came to take me out for

coffee and to chat. It was so sweet and

awesome of her!!

Group Hug!

Enough pictures, now. Taylor has been such an amazing friend to me these last few years. Though she is four years my elder, she has never made me feel less important because I am younger. She has always been there when I needed her. Today, she is moving to college. I'm going to miss her so much!!

I have many memories of her that aren't included in these pictures. Memories like these:

Hanging out at camp when I was only eleven.

Late night talks at sleepovers.

A piggy-back ride at AWANA

Her freaking me out by running up behind me and jumping on me at the mall.

Forking with her late at night.

Talking at the park.

In short, Taylor has taught me to have fun. She has been the one who helped me to not be uptight but instead to just have fun and enjoy myself. I said once, " Taylor is always the one who does the crazy stuff first, so I can do it second." This is one of my favorite things about her.

I remember when she used to babysit for my family, from when I was 10 through when I was 12. She was the best babysitter I ever had. I remember looking forward for weeks to when she would come babysit, and then when she came, I wished she could never leave. She was the epitome of all I wanted to be. Many of my goals when I was younger were to be "just like Miss Taylor".

She has never once forgotten me. I have always felt that she is ready to listen when I have a problem. I think of the girl I was at 10, and think of who I am now, and know I wouldn't be who I am today without her. She has helped me come a long way. I thank God for the role model, mentor and friend that Taylor has been to me.

Taylor if you're reading this, thank you, thank you, thank you, for being such an incredible friend to me!!! Words can't express how I love you and am thankful for you!

Finally, God, you are an awesome God! You knew that I needed Taylor, and I thank you with all my heart for blessing me with her!

To all the rest of you, have a great Taylor Day!

In His name,

See ya!

A friend loves at all times and a sister is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

Monday, September 20, 2010

That's right! I turned 14 this last weekend. Because of family and friends, I was blessed to be able to celebrate my birthday three times. (my brother questions the fairness of this =) Here are some pics from the fun time we had.

To start off the weekend, five of my best friends came over to my house for a sleepover. We had a blast!

My Dad even made a photo scavenger hunt for us. Some of the clues were very hard. Can you guess what we were looking for in this picture?

JOY!

Later, in addition to cake and ice cream, we devoured a God's Princess stroke of genius:

Chocolate Pizza!

All in all, my sleepover was a ton of fun, and, believe it or not, I actually got 8 hours of sleep!

The next day.

After all my friends went home, my Grandparents and cousins came over to celebrate mine and my Gramma's birthdays.

Finally, on the last day of the weekend, it was my birthday! It was so nice to have already done my party and to be able to spend time with my family.

Chickie was Little Buddy's special birthday present to me. (Isn't that sweet)

As I start my year as a fourteen year old, I am very thankful for my family and friends who surround me with their love and kindness. But most of all, I am extremely thankful to God for his never-ending patience and love toward me.

My mom has heard that phrase so many times. We kids ask questions about such an array of things, from math problems to laundry. Last night, my little four year old brother had an interesting request.
He asked, (in all earnestness)

Friday, September 10, 2010

Whew! This day has been sooo busy!
Yesterday, my sweet sister Sunshine was in bed with a fever. We prayed that she would get better quickly, for we had many activities planned for today. This morning she woke up and was all better!! We were very excited! This morning, to start out our day, we went to the fair. Today was the first day, so they had a parade. Today only, you could also get in free! It was a lot of fun! We saw the animals, and a circus, and tons of friends! We saw more friends than exhibits! After the fair, we went immediately to the car repair shop to pick up our car. From there, we went to our first speech and debate meeting at our friend's house. It was a great meeting, and I learned many important things about speech and debate. Next, we went out to get dinner, then came home, and five minutes later our friends were here for care group! This has been a very enjoyable and incredible day! Right now, I am writing after care group and will soon go to bed. (hopefully) Tomorrow morning is the first Bible Quiz meet!! Yeah!! I can't wait to see what God will show me in the days to come.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Lately my family has started a Bible study based on the Westminster shorter catechism. I have also been studying the shorter catechism in school. The first question and answer we studied was,

Q. What is man's primary purpose?

A. To glorify God and enjoy him forever.

Over the week, we studied the different aspects of this catechism, finally coming down to what it means for us today. One of the points I loved was when we discussed what it means to "glorify God." The book pointed out that to "glorify God," does not mean to make God more glorious. God is already as glorious as he can be, and nothing we do can affect that. How you truly glorify God is by reflecting his glory. And how can you do that? I believe you can do it through the simple things, like answering kindly when someone is rude to you, or seeking out the shy person instead of hanging out with your friends. These are the things that can brighten a sad day, these are the things that show God's love.

I just have one more point to share with you. It is the concept of enjoying God. Had you ever thought of just sitting back and enjoying Him? Enjoying God is what can keep you joyful in the midst of sorrow.

Last Sunday, at the end of the service, our pastor played some music and asked us to just spend some time with the Lord. That time was amazing. I really felt God's presence.

I would like to challenge you:

Today, would you take time to just close your eyes, sit back, and bask in His presence?

If you're having a rough day, spend some time with the Lord.

If he has done amazing things and you're rejoicing in Him, take some time and listen to him.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Okay, so you can guess from the title that I went someplace called "Pacific Science Center". For those of you who don't know what it is, the Pacific Science Center is a place where they have all sorts of fun activities for kids about science. This week, my Mom took us there to celebrate the end of our first week of school. (ahh) Here are some photos from our fun day.

As you can see, we had fun!

In His name,

See ya!

So whether you eat or drink or what ever you do do it all to the glory of God.

About Me

Hey there! Nice to meet you. I am Abby. More than that, I am a follower of Jesus Christ. He is my everything, and he shows me more and more of who he is each day. Here in my corner of the blogosphere, I strive to celebrate the beauty of life, by sharing the big and little works of God I see everyday. My hope is that by sharing what He is doing in my life, God will use my words to encourage you in your journey. Please join me in spreading the joy that comes from living to further His kingdom!

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Jesus Christ, throughout all generations, forever and ever, amen!